US69308A - bland - Google Patents

Description

P. E. BLAND. BRIGK MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 1, 1867.

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PETER E. BLAND. on ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI Letters Patent No. 69,308, dated October 1, 1867;

IMPROVED BRICK MACHINE.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, PETER E. BLAND, of the. city and county of St. Louis, invented a new and improved Rotary Brick Machine; and I do hereby declare t exact description thereof, reference bein cation, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine.

Figure '2, a central vertical section thereof in the line as x g, fig. 3;. and

Figure 3 a detached view of the mould-bearing cylinder in elevation, with itsjournals, 860.

Similar letters indicate like parts in each of the figures.

The nature of my invention consists in the novel combination and arran improved brick machine, wherein the tempered clay is first delivered frommoulds placed longitudinally in a horizontal cylinder revolving beneath it with an intermittent movement, and is thereafter compressed in these moulds by horizontal plungers,'opcrated by means of eccentrics upon the driving-shaft, and finally delivered from said moulds upon cars moving beneath-the cylinder, by the move ment of followers forced out radially from within said cylinder, by means of cams upon a fixed shaft, passing through the axis of said cylinder, the followers being readjusted by pins or pistons, having a horizontal reciprocating movement, obtained by suitable connecting levers from an eccentric upon the driving-shaft, so as to act in unison with the compressing plunger-s. The car. upon which the bricks are delivered from the moulds is thrust forward automatically by the machine after each delivery ofbricks, a distance slightly greater than their width, by means of pivoted levers, engaging at one end with teeth on the heads of the cylinder, and provided at the other with dogs or pawls, falling and playing. upon ratchet-bars on the cars. These cars are connected by means of catches or hooks, which are disconnected so soon as the cars are loaded, by means of inclined ways upon the framework between which they pass, which engage pins upon the catches, and gradually lift them as the car is forced forward, while being loaded, leaving the loaded car next in advance free to run forward by its own gravity down an incline from the machine. The moulds are lubricated after the deliv cry of the bricks therefrom in each revolution of the cylinder, by means of suitable packing placed around the readjusting pins or pistons, the packing material being kept moistened from liquid in a. vat in the rear thereof. The fixed cam-shaft and the cylinder receive vertical adjustment by means of a vertical plate, carrying the bearings for one end of the shaft, and supported by means of a pin in a curved slot in said plate. The mould frames fixed in the cylinder may be removed therefrom, to be replaced when worn or broken, in the cylinder or its adjustment.

and State of Missouri, have he following tobe a full and g had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specifiin section.

gement of the several parts of my any suitable form of pug-mill into without change To'enablc others skilled in the art to make and use my improved machine, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation. 1

AA A A. is the frameworx, receiving and supporting the operative parts of the machine. tudinal beams A A support the bearings of'a revolving mouldbearing cylinder,

Upon the top of the framework is placed a pug-mill, C, of any efl'ective description. This pug-mill is provided with a. longitudinal discharging aperture in its bottom, equal in length to the mould-bearing cylinder B, and is so supported as to fit closely against its circumference.

The mould-bearing cylinder B consists of a cylindrical frame or shell, which I prefer to construct with an inner polygonal section, as illustrated fig. 2, having faces equal in number to the seiies of moulds to be used in the machine. This cylinder is ordinarily made a little more than three times as long as the bricks to be made therein, and is closed at each end by head-plates D D, having central shafts E E projecting outwardly therefrom. Across its circumference longitudinal parallel grooves, having a dovetail section, are cut slightly larger in width than. the moulds to be used with the machine. The bottom of each groove is plane, and is made parallel to'a corresponding planesurfaco upon the inner face of the cylinder The moulds are formed in open or bottomless metallic frames F F, fig. 3, equal in length to thecylinder. and divided by cross-partitions a into divisions, each equal to the size of the bricks to be manufactured.

The sides of the frame are wider at the base than at the top, so as to fit into the dove tailed grooves in the cylinder, dutthe interior of the moulds is perfectly rectangular. I prefer to place eight of these mould- The longi- B, and of the driving-shaft.

cases 2 frames F about a cylinder, as illustrated in the drawings. Within each division of the mould-frames are placed platens or followers 5, figs. 2 and 3, fitting and moving accurately therein, and which are provided respectively with a central armor rod, c, fig. 2, projecting therefrom, through a suitable aperture, into the interior of the cylinder. These arms 0 terminate with small friction-wheelsor rollers e, and each is of such a length as that when forced outwardly, so far as the roller will permit, the attached platen or follower b shall be even with the outer edges of the mould.

The journal-shafts E E of the cylinder, at either end, are bored out centrally to receive a solid rod or shaft, H, which passes entirely through the cylinder, and extends out also through and beyond its said journals, as illustrated in fig. 3. It is held and firmly fixed by means of a set-screw, d, fig. 3, in an embracing-collar, formed in a plate, J, at one end thereof, which is secured vertically against the frame of the machine, by means of a screw,f, passing into the same through a curved slot cut in the plate, (see red lines, fig. 1.) This curved slot permits a vertical adjustment of the shaft H, and with it, of the cylinder B. Upon the central fixed rod or shaft H; cams K are secured within the cylinder, of such form and in such manner as that so soon as the rods 0 of the followers 6, in the moulds, have reached, in the revolution of the cylinder a horizontal plane, their frictionuollers e shall strike against the surface of said cams, and be gradually forced out thereby until the moulds have attained a vertical position, but be thereafter immediately released therefrom.

Compressihg plungers or plates G, equal in number to the divisions of the mould-frame and the plane faces, and each equal in size to the openings in the moulds, are securedupon a sliding-bar, L, moving in horizontal ways It, secured in the framework in front of the machine. These ways are so located as that the plungers G shall slide freely in a horizontal plane, passing through the axis of the cylinder, and may enter the moulds when they have attained this horizontal plane.

On the opposite side of the cylinder, and in corresponding ways 1: h, is also placed a sliding-bar, or, as I find it more convenient, a sliding-box or vat, M, which is provided-with readjusting pins or pistons 51, fig. 2, to enter each division of the mould-frames, and push back the followers 5 thereln, after they have been forced out by the action of the cams K, in the revolution of the cylinder. These pistons are covered or encircled between the vat M and their front face, with some suitable packing material, to be kept constantly moist by water or other lubricating liquid from the vat, for the purpose of dampening and lubricating the sides of the moulds before they receive the dry clay. Small apertures are provided in the vat for the flow of the liquid upon the packing, and the pistons may be pierced to facilitate this end, their faces, however, being kept solid to prevent a dampening of the followers forming the bottoms of the moulds.

The driving-shaftN of the machine may be placed in the framework in front of the cylinder in the plane of its axis, as illustrated in the drawings. Upon this main shaft N are placed eccentrics o o, centrally between its bearings, which impart, by means of suitable links P P, a reciprocating sliding movement to the compressing plungors G. An eccentric, V, is also placed upon one end of the shaft. N, to communicate, by means ofa connectinguod, Q, and crank q, a. rocking motion to a rocking-shaft, 2:, upon the framework in the rear of the cylinder, and which is connected by means of the cranks R It to the sliding-bar or vat. M, so as to impart thereto a reciprocating sliding movement in its ways it.

Upon the outer end of the journal-shaft E is keyed a ratchet-wheel, W, and upon the outer end of the fixed cam-shaft H, projecting centrally through the bearing-shaft E, is so ung loosely an arm, S, carrying a weighted pawl, T, pivoted loosely to its inner side, so as to bear up against the notches formed in the circumference of the driving-wheel W, as illustrated in fig. 1. A swinging movement is imparted to the arm S by means of a pitman, U, pivoted both to its lower end and eccentrically tothe face of a crank-wheel, Y, upon the end of the driving-shaft N, as clearly illustrated in fig. 1 of the drawings.

The number of batches upon the ratchet driving-wheel W of the cylinder corresponds to the number of mould-frames in the cylinder, and the size of the wheel is so proportioned as that in a cylinder carrying eight mould frames as illustrated, the cylinder shall turn one-eighth of a revolution at each forward moveinent of thc weighted pawl T, and remain stationary while said pawl is drawn back to engage the next tooth. I The eccentrics o o and V, imparting motion to the compressing plungers G and to the readjusting pistons g, are also so arranged upon the driving shaft N as that the compressing plungers will be brought to bear against the clay in the moulds on one side of the cylinder, and the readjusting pistons will enter and leave the empty moulds on the other during the interval in which the pawl Tis being drawn back, and the cylinder consequently is at rest.

Small pinsz'z', equal in number to the mould-frames of the cylinder and to the ratchet notches in its driving-wheel W, project from either head thereof at equal intervals, as illustrated in fig. 2, and red lines,- fig. 1, and engage with the longer curved arms of catch-levers w w, secured to a rocking-shaft,j, in the rear and below the cylinder. This shaft serves as the axis for these levers w w, and to their lower ends are pivoted dogs or pawls k k, which engage with the teeth of ratchct-bsrs ll, placed on either side of cars running on a suitable track immediately under the cylinder and between the framework of the machine. The shaftjis provided at one end with unweighted arm, or, figs. 1 and 2, acting to keep the curved upper arms of the levers raw against the pins 2' i. The intervals between the teeth of these ratchet-bars ll are each slightly greater than the width of the bricks, so thata forward movement of the car, a distance equal to the width of a brick, is obtained at each movement of the leversw w.

A transverse bar, n, is secured across the frame, immediately beneath the cylinder B, at a point removed from the vertical plane drawn through its axis, and'in the rear thereof, a distance slightly greater than onehalf of the width of a brick. The cars are connected by'meuns of simple hooks or catches o a, pivoted to the sides of each, so as to project in front thereof, and engage pins 12 in the sides of the rear ends of the our next before it. These catches engage with the pins p, automatically by their own weight. Inclined bars 1- 1-, figs.

l and Lure placed on the framework on each side, so that pins 9 a, projecting from the catches, will rest thereon, and as the car moves forward be gradually lifted thereby. The cars are provided with removable frames, upon which the bricks are delivered from the cylinder, and which may be removed at one operation wholly from the car, with the entire load of bricks placed thereon.

In operation the mould-bearing cylinder B receives an intermittent motion from the revolution of the driving-shaft N, by the reciprocating action of the pitman U, carrying the weighted pawl T upon the swinging arm S. Each movement of the pawl T turns the cylinder one-eighth of a revolution. The adjustment of the driving-wheel W of the cylinder, with its actuating pawl '1, is so made as that during the intervals in which the cylinder remains stationary one series of moulds shall be immediately under the discharging aperture of the pug-mill (1; another in a horizontal plane in register with the compressing plungers G; another immcdiately over the car, and another in register with the readjusting piston g, whilst there remains series intcrmc-. diatc between each of these, all as fully illustrated in fig. 2 of the drawings. v

Whilst the cylinder B is thus momentarily stationary, the upper series of moulds becomes filled with clay. The next two movements of the cylinder will then bring these moulds thus charged in register with the compressing plungers G, moving horizontally, and during the interval of rest at this point these plungers, by the continuous revolution of the driving-shaft, are brought to bear powerfully against the clay in the moulds, compressing the same very firmly therein. By the two following movements of the cylinder the inner roller bearing ends of the arms C, of the platens or followers 6,-which until now have formed the bottom-of the moulds, arc-brought to bear against the cams K, on the central fixed shaft H, within the cylinder, so that in these movements the contents of the moulds are gradually forced out therefrom by these followers Zr, and are swept off from their face upon the car immediately below by the contact of the transverse bar 11, when the cylinder again moves. So soon as the moulds have thus been emptied, and have passed the vertical plane of the axis of the cylinder, the arms 0, of the platens b, are disengaged from the cams K, and upon reaching a horizontal plane are forced in again and readjusted by the movement of the res-adjusting pistons. As the packing around these pistons g is kept moistened,they lubricate the sides of the moulds when they pass into the same, the bottom being kept dry by the face of the piston.

Thus whilst the cylinder is at rest, one series of moulds is charged, another compressed, and the followers of still another re-adjus'ted simultaneously, and at each movement of the cylinder, bricks powerfully compressed in the loaded moulds are forced out and delivered on the car below. In the mean time, by the action of the levers wengaging the pins upon the cylinder-heads D D, the dogs is k are made, at. each movement of the cylinder, and immediately after each delivery of bricks therefrom, to pass forward the cars a distance just sufficient to allow the next series of bricks to fall thereon in the rear of those previously delivered, whilst eachcar, when loaded, is automatically disengaged from that in the rear thereof, by the-lifting of the catches upon the inclined ways 1', and left free to start off by its own gravity down an incline from the machine leading to the kilns, where they may he quickly unloaded by simply lifting 0d the frame thereon containing the bricks.

If this track be made circular, and inclined to a point near to the rear of the machine so as that the cars when unloaded on the course might run against a connected train of cars reaching from the machine to that point, they would, each in succession coupling themselves by. the self-action of thecatches to the last car in the train, be placed in readiness to be again drawn under the cylinder of the machine, and thus the entire movement'of the cars themselves to and from the machine would become automatic, needing no attention aside from its own simple operation in forming the bricks.

Havingthus fully described my improved brick machine, I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination of movable platens or followers b, in a mould-bearing cylinder,- B, revolving about a fixed central shaft, H, with one or more fixed cams is upon said shaft, allsubstantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth. I i

2. The combination of compressing plates or plungers G with a revolving mould-bearing cylinder, B, when said compressing plnngers have the within-described reciprocating movements, and operate in unison with an intermittentmovement of said cylinder, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

3.,Thc combination of pistons g, or'their equivalent, with a revolving mould-bearing cylinder, B, and radial cam-actuated followers 12 in the moulds thereof, when said pistons 9 have substantially the withindeseribed reciprocating'movements for the purpose hereinspecified.

4. The combination of n ratchet-wheel, W, or. other equivalent device, with the hollow shaft of a mouldbcaring cylinder, encircling a fixed central shaft, H, all substantially in the manner and for the purpose heroin set .forth. I i

5. The combination of a rocking-shaft, j, and pawl-levers w w, with pins or catches 2' z, on the revolving mould-bearing cylinder of a brick machine, and with ratchet-bars I l, on a receiving car, running beneath said cylinder, for the purpose of imparting an intermittent forward movement to the car, in unison. with the intermittent revolution of the cylinder, all substantially'in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

6. The combination of inclined bars r with the frame of my improved brick machine and with the coupling- 1 books or catches 0 of the cars, running through the same, for the purpose of automatically disconnecting the curs-in their forward movement, substantially as herein set forth.

7. The combination of a stationary transverse swcep-bar,.'n, with a revolving mould-bearing cylinder, 13, and movable followers-b thcrein, to effect a detachment of the moulded material from the face of said followers after its discharge from the mould,- substantially in the manner herein specified.

8. The combination of detachable mould-frames F with a grooved or suitably-framed revolving mouldbcaring cylinder, B, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

9. The combination of :iny suitable packing material with the remljusting pins or pistons of a rotary cylinder brick machine, for the purpose of lubricating or dampening the sides of the moulds therein, substantially as herein set forth. 7

10. The combination of an adjusting-plate; J, with the end of a fixcq central cam-shaft, H, passing centrally through the mould-bearing cylinder-B of airevolving cylinder brick machine, substantially in the manner and for the purposc'hercinset forth i As witness my signature hereto this fourthdzty of April, A. D. 1867.

PETER E. BLAND.

Witnessesz DAVID A. Bum, H. H. YOUNG.

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